Marte scratched with flu-like symptoms

PITTSBURGH — Pirates left fielder Starling Marte was scratched from Thursday night’s lineup shortly before first pitch due to flu-like symptoms.

Gregory Polanco moved from right to left field in Marte’s place, and Matt Joyce was inserted into the starting lineup, playing right field and batting four against Brewers right-hander Matt Garza. In the first inning, Joyce hit a three-run homer to right to give Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead.

Marte, a National League All-Star, entered Thursday hitting .314/.366/.464 with seven homers, 34 RBIs and 33 steals, the second-highest total in the Majors behind only the Brewers’ Jonathan Villar.

Marte briefly tied Villar for the Major League lead Wednesday night, swiping second base in the fifth inning, but Villar logged his 34th steal in the sixth, taking third base as part of a double steal.

The removal of Marte was one of several changes to the lineup. Manager Clint Hurdle also bumped struggling first baseman John Jaso, typically Pittsburgh’s leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers, to the sixth spot in the order.

In …

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